Two businessmen charged, remanded for impersonating URA officers

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Two businessmen have been charged with impersonating officers of the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA).

Kasim Batte, 34, and Justus Mugisha, 48, both residents of Kamuli zone in Kireka, Kira Division, Wakiso district, were on July 15, 2025, arraigned before the Nakasero-based Anti-Corruption Court on a charge under section 198(b) of the East African Community Customs Management Act, 2004.

They appeared before Principal Grade One Magistrate Paul Mujuni and were remanded to Luzira Prison after failing to secure bail due to a lack of sureties.

Magistrate Mujuni informed the accused of their right to apply for bail; however, they told the court they were unable to do so as they had no one to stand surety.

“You are hereby remanded until July 25, 2025, pending your bail application,” Mujuni ruled.

According to the prosecution, between July 3 and 4, 2025, at Busabala in Wakiso district, Batte and Mugisha, not being duly appointed URA officers, allegedly assumed the character of URA enforcement officers.

The prosecution, led by Hildah Atusiimire, the manager prosecution from URA, stated that the accused pretended to be enforcing the implementation of digital tax stamps on locally manufactured goods and, in the process, defrauded a businessman, Ezra Muhwezi, of sh500,000. The duo denied the charge.

Atusiimire informed the court that investigations into the matter were still ongoing and requested additional time to update the court on their progress.

What the law says

Under section 198(b) of the East African Community Customs Management Act, 2004, any person who is not a customs officer but assumes the name, designation, character, or appearance of such is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years.